Kerby

Hello Kerby Families,

It’s been a fantastic week, filled with learning and preparation as we gear up for the new school year. The Kerby staff has been busy collaborating and planning to ensure a great start for all our Cougars.

Yesterday’s Popsicles with the Principal and supply drop-off turned out to be a beautiful day. A big thank you to everyone who attended and took the time to say hello. It’s clear from our many conversations that we have an incredible community, and our partnership is set to create a wonderful experience for all our kids. Special thanks to the PTO for their organization and generosity; the event wouldn’t have been possible without those who donated popsicles and volunteered their time. Your support made for a fun and welcoming start for all our Cougars.

Here are a few important reminders to help you prepare for the start of the school year:

• First Day of School: Our first full day of school is Tuesday, September 3rd. Classes will run from 8:20 AM to 3:38 PM for all students.

• Back to School Night is Thursday, September 5th and runs from 6:00-8:00. Please see the schedule below to see when specific sessions are for each grade level. Each session is 25 minutes with the option to stop in to see specials teachers when you are available. Back to School Night is created for parents to receive valuable information about the school year. This evening event is not the time to hold individual conferences with the teacher. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. (Y5/K sessions at 6:00 and 7:00 in classrooms, 1st/2nd/3rd sessions are at 7:00 and 7:30 in classrooms, 4th grade session is at 7:00 in the gym and 7:30 classroom walk throughs, and there is a general session with me at 6:30 in the gym).

The students I met at Popsicles with the Principal were buzzing with excitement for the first day, and we share that enthusiasm! The halls and classrooms at Kerby are ready to be filled with curiosity, learning, exploration, kindness, and, most importantly, FUN. Wishing everyone a relaxing final weekend of summer!

Your partner in learning,

Katy Vernier

Principal
Kerby Elementary School
313-432-4204
vernieca@gpschools.org

September

• September 3rd - First Day of School bell rings @ 8:20 am
• September 5th - Back to School Night at 6:00pm (see schedule below)
• September 9th - PTO Meeting in the Library at 7:00 pm
• September 20th - PTO Family Movie Night at 6:30 pm
• September 23rd - Picture Day

October

• October 4th - Fun Run & Haunted Garage
• October 7th - PTO Meeting in the Library at 7:00 pm
• October 11th - 4th grade Lansing trip
• October 31st - Half day, students report in the am only

We’re excited to extend a warm welcome to two new Cougars joining our Kerby family!

First, congratulations to Mrs. Valgoi, who recently welcomed a baby girl to her family. We’re overjoyed for her and her loved ones. While Mrs. Valgoi is on maternity leave, we are thrilled to introduce Mrs. Erin Mallon, who will be joining our teaching staff this fall.

Mrs. Mallon brings a wealth of experience to Kerby. A former elementary school teacher and a Kerby mom, she has taught 3rd grade, 5th grade, a 2/3 split, and preschool. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Language Arts from Wayne State University. Erin spent nine years teaching in the Chicago area and two years as a Response to Intervention Instructor in Hamtramck. Her passion for education and warm, kind energy are a perfect fit for our classroom community. We’re excited to have her on board and feel incredibly fortunate to welcome such a dedicated and enthusiastic educator to Kerby.

Please complete 24-25 pre-registration as soon as possible at: https://www.gpschools.org/Page/956.

To complete these forms, you will need your Student's ID Number as the "Login" and the student birthdate as the 'Access Key' below. The 'Access Key' must be entered exactly as shown, including leading zeros and forward slashes. (Please keep this for your records.)

Student Name: John Smith

Student ID Number: 150000000

K12 Access Key: 01/01/2010

Please update your child's emergency contacts and other student information in the MISTAR Parent Portal. It is mandatory to keep this information up to date.

This link will take you to the MISTAR Parent Portal to update your student's emergency contacts, your phone numbers and email address. During this pre-registration period, you may also review and update your student’s medical information. This must be completed before the start of school on September 3rd.

Once in the MISTAR portal, click on the 2024-25 Pre-Registration Update link at the top. Updates require district approval, which may require additional time at the beginning of the school year. Changes, including to your child’s emergency contacts, may be made at any time during the school year.

If you do not have your MISTAR Parent Portal password, click on this link and click "Forget Your PIN?" or "Forget Your Password?" You will enter your email address in the next screen; it must be the same email you have on file in MISTAR. Your credentials will be sent to that email.

Please submit new or update Medication Authorization Forms to the office, if needed for your student. Here is the form for a student to self administration/self possession.

If your child is staying home because of illness, please call the attendance line at 313-432-4201 and leave a brief message. Please refer to the Guidelines to Exclude a Child from School.

Please visit the following Detroit Street Apparel website to buy your child/children their class shirt. Use the class color list below to make sure you have the appropriate shirt. Shirts will be worn for various reasons throughout the school year, starting with the Fun Run this fall.

Spirit Wear Grade T-Shirt Colors

Young 5's: Orange

Kindergarten: Blue

First Grade: Lime Green

Second Grade: Navy Blue

Third Grade: Red

Fourth Grade: Kelly Green

https://www.detroitstreetapparel.com/collections/school-stores?page=1

Important information can be found in the Kerby handbook including, lunch, drop off/pick up, Safe Routes for walking, medications, and contact information.

Please take a look at the handbook before school starts on September 3rd. It is essential that the expectations around drop-off and pick-up are understood by everyone to help keep

Prior to entering the building to start school, all students will line up on the blacktop portion of the Kerby playground. There will be signs to identify the specific location of each class’s line-up spot. See list below for which door your student will enter and dismiss from. There will be a cone for each teacher’s class so students will know exactly where to line up for the entry bell (9:05 am on Mondays and 8:20 am on Tues-Friday). At the end of the day, all students will be dismissed out of the door they entered.

We ask all parents to remain outside and allow their child to enter with their class. We will have additional personnel on hand to assist in escorting the students into the building.

• Enter/exit back double doors closest to field/Beaupre Road: Young 5’s, Kindergarten, 1st & Mrs. Farrell’s classes
• Enter/exit through back double doors closest to the teacher's parking lot: Ms. Kuczewski’s class, 3rd & 4th graders

• Walk or ride bikes to school.

• Park on the side streets, adhering to city ordinances, and then walk students to the back playground doors to line up.

• Drop-off from cars using a rolling drop-off in the designated area on Beaupre. (see map below)

More details can be found in the Parent-Student Handbook attached above.

Please consider helping at lunch! It takes a village! Click the link to volunteer: SIGN UP FOR LUNCH HELP.

Lunch menus are available HERE or on the button below.

Money can be added to your student's account with cash, check, or online with a credit card at: https://sisweb.resa.net/grossepointe/parentconnect/.

We are pleased to announce that Grosse Pointe Public Schools will be participating in the Michigan School Meals Program for the 2024-25 school year. This will provide each student in Young Fives through 12th Grade one free school breakfast and one free school lunch! Please see the attached document for more information.

Chess Wizards is a premier chess education company providing fun, informative and challenging chess lessons to students in PreK-8th grade. Our program is made for children at every step of their chess journey – no matter the skill level – with classes that build upon each other, starting with the basics and moving toward more advanced lessons as your child progresses from one session to the next. Chess Wizards teaches children how to problem solve, think critically, win graciously, and accept defeat with dignity and sportsmanship. Students will be divided into groups according to their chess experience. At the end of this session, each student would have had the chance to participate in a mini-chess tournament.

Register online at chesswizards.com
WATCH OUR VIDEO
Questions? Call 866.949.4386

The Kids Club office is receiving a large number of registration forms for the 24/25 school year. We want to assure you that we are processing each registration form as it arrives for all seven of our sites. Our team is working diligently to review each registration, and we will notify you as soon as your form has been processed. You will be informed whether your child has been enrolled or placed on a waitlist.

Click Here for more Kids Club information.

Crystal Fletcher

Director of School-Age Child Care
313.432.3009

fletchc@gpschools.org

🍎KERBY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

(313) 432-4200

Principal: Katy Vernier

Secretary: Lyndsay Peabody

Clerk: Elisabeth Wagner

Attendance Line: (313) 432-4201